Celebrate National Ice Cream Day 2023 in Seattle With Shops, Trucks & Tours

Celebrating National Ice Cream Day in Seattle

Ice cream is one of America's favorite desserts, with the average American consuming over 23 pounds of ice cream per year! So it's no surprise that there is a day dedicated to celebrating this tasty treat. National Ice Cream Day falls on the third Sunday of July each year. For ice cream lovers in Seattle, it's a great chance to get out and enjoy some delicious frozen desserts from the city's top ice cream shops and creameries. Keep reading for the scoop on the best ways to celebrate National Ice Cream Day in Seattle!

Local Ice Cream Shops

Seattle has no shortage of amazing ice cream shops dishing up unique flavors and classic treats. From homemade ice cream to exotic flavors, these spots should be on your must-visit list when celebrating National Ice Cream Day.

Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream always draws a crowd for its creative flavors like Balsamic Strawberry, Honey Lavender, and Salted Caramel. Or go for classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla done right. They use high quality, locally sourced ingredients to craft their ice creams, sorbets, and vegan options.

For a taste of the tropics, head to Six Strawberries which specializes in Hawaiian shave ice. They have over 45 flavors of tropical shave ice along with ice cream scoops and mochi additions. It's the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day.

If gelato is more your style, stop by D'Ambrosio Gelato in Pike Place Market. They make their gelato fresh daily in a wide array of flavors like Hazelnut, Stracciatella, and Banana Cream. Their gelato is rich, creamy, and full of real fruit and nut pieces.

For a unique twist, try the liquid nitrogen ice cream at Snoqualmie Ice Cream. You pick your base, mix-ins, and watch as they use liquid nitrogen to freeze your customized ice cream right in front of you! They also offer ice cream cakes, pints to go, and waffle cones.

Ice Cream Trucks

Part of the nostalgic fun of National Ice Cream Day is chasing down an ice cream truck for a cone, sandwich or popsicle. Luckily, Seattle has several ice cream truck companies spreading ice cream joy across the city on any given day.

Cream City Ice Cream Truck plays upbeat tunes through neighborhoods as they dish up drumsticks, sundaes, and root beer floats. Or catch Sweet Wheels Seattle for unique flavors like Horchata, Coffee Toffee, and Zen Coconut. They pride themselves on only using high-quality ingredients. And for a true old fashioned ice cream truck experience, Seattle Ice Cream Cruise has trucks modeled after classic 1920s Good Humor trucks.

DIY Ice Cream

For the ultimate hands-on ice cream experience, consider making your own ice cream at home to celebrate National Ice Cream Day. Not only will you control the ingredients, but you'll also impress your friends and family with your frozen creation.

Making vanilla ice cream is easy with just a few ingredients - cream, milk, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Let the mixture chill in the fridge before putting it in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturers instructions. For chocolate ice cream, simply add cocoa powder. Or get creative with mix-ins like fresh berries, cookies, candy pieces or other ingredients once the ice cream is semi-frozen and still soft.

To take it up a notch, make your own ice cream sandwiches by baking chocolate or sugar cookies and scooping ice cream onto the flat sides. Put two cookies together and wrap in plastic for at least 2 hours before enjoying!

Local Ice Cream Events

Throughout July, keep an eye out for special National Ice Cream Day events happening around Seattle. These seasonal celebrations make great family-friendly activities.

Last year, the Museum of History & Industry put on an ice cream social in honor of National Ice Cream Day. Visitors enjoyed music, ice breakers, and of course, ice cream sundaes! Several farms around Seattle hosted ice cream socials and contests like milk chugging competitions and ice cream eating contests.

Many ice cream shops offered discounts and freebies on National Ice Cream Day. So be sure to ask your favorite shop if they have any deals to take advantage of on the third Sunday of July!

Ice Cream Desserts

Beyond just cones and cups, there are so many ways to enjoy ice cream for National Ice Cream Day. Why not step up your ice cream game by transforming it into a delicious dessert? Here are just a few ideas for ice-cream-based treats:

- Banana splits with sliced bananas, ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and cherries on top
- Root beer floats made with vanilla ice cream and root beer in tall glasses
- Affogato with a scoop of ice cream and hot espresso poured over the top
- Milkshakes blended thick and creamy with the flavor combinations of your choice
- Baked Alaska with ice cream on a brownie base encased in meringue and baked
- S'mores ice cream pie with graham cracker crust, chocolate ice cream, marshmallow and chocolate layers

With a little creativity in the kitchen, ice cream can become the star ingredient in showstopping desserts. Your friends and family will be thoroughly impressed!

Ice Cream Tour of Seattle

If you really want to go all out for National Ice Cream Day, put together a tour of the top ice cream spots around the city. Grab some friends, plan your route, and hit the streets for a refreshing day of icy treats. Here's just one possible tour itinerary to hit some of Seattle's best ice cream shops:

1. Start off downtown at the original Molly Moon's location. Try their famous Scout Mint flavor. Hop on the light rail up to Capitol Hill for a stop at Kurt Farm Shop. Their unique flavors like Lavender Honey and Tahitian Vanilla with roasted banana are worth the trip. Head to Cream on Western Ave downtown for a waffle cone dipped in chocolate and rolled in toppings. Catch the ferry over to West Seattle for a scoop of Salted Caramel at Husky Deli. The perfect fuel for a beach walk. Finish up with Snoqualmie Ice Cream's liquid nitrogen frozen treats back downtown. Customize your own flavor creation!

With some good walking shoes, Seattle's public transportation, and a bit of planning, you can hit up all the top ice cream hotspots in one fun-filled day. What better way to celebrate National Ice Cream Day!

FAQs

When is National Ice Cream Day?

National Ice Cream Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of July every year.

Where can I find ice cream trucks in Seattle?

Popular ice cream truck companies in Seattle include Cream City Ice Cream Truck, Sweet Wheels Seattle, and Seattle Ice Cream Cruise.

What are some of the best ice cream shops in Seattle?

Top ice cream spots in Seattle include Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream, Kurt Farm Shop, Cream, and Husky Deli.

Are there any ice cream events happening for National Ice Cream Day?

Many ice cream shops and farms around Seattle host special events and deals on National Ice Cream Day like ice cream socials and eating contests.

What's a good Seattle ice cream tour route?

A suggested ice cream tour is Molly Moon's downtown, Kurt Farm Shop on Capitol Hill, Cream downtown, Husky Deli in West Seattle, and finishing up at Snoqualmie Ice Cream downtown.